The prime minister of Tonga (historically referred to as the premier) is the head of government of Tonga. Tonga is a monarchy with the king, currently Tupou VI, former prime minister, as head of state."The Executive government ", Tonga government The current prime minister is Fatafehi Fakafānua, who has served since 18 December 2025. Fakafānua was elected by the Legislative Assembly following the 2025 general election.
The office of prime minister was established by the Constitution of 1875, whose article 51 stipulates that the prime minister and other ministers are appointed and dismissed by the king.Constitution of Tonga
The prime minister is assisted by the deputy prime minister.
2000s democratisation During the 2000s, the country experienced an increase in democratisation. In March 2006, King Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV appointed Feleti Sevele, a moderate member of the Human Rights and Democracy Movement, as prime minister. Sevele was the first commoner to hold this post since Shirley Waldemar Baker in 1881. All the prime ministers since Baker had been members of the nobility, or even the royal family."Tonga gets first elected leader", BBC, 13 February 2006
In July 2008, King George Tupou V announced more substantial democratic reforms. He would abandon the essential part of his executive powers, and would henceforth follow the custom of monarchies such as the United Kingdom, exercising his prerogatives only with the prime minister's advice. In addition, he would no longer appoint the prime minister anyone he wished, but would appoint a member of the Legislative Assembly to be elected by the Legislative Assembly."Tonga's king to cede key powers", BBC, 29 July 2008"Tongan king promises 'more democracy' for Pacific island", The Guardian, 29 July 2008"King of Tonga prepares to give up power", The Telegraph, 11 July 2010
List of premiers / prime ministers of Tonga Portrait Name Term of office Party Cabinet Monarch Start End Duration Tēvita ʻUnga 1 January 1876 18 December 1879 Independent ʻUnga George Tupou I Vacant (18 December 1879 – April 1881) Shirley Waldemar Baker April 1881 July 1890 Independent Baker Siaosi Tukuʻaho July 1890 1893 years Independent Tukuʻaho Siosateki Tonga 1893 January 1905 years Independent Veikune George Tupou II Siaosi Tuʻipelehake January 1905 January 1905 Independent Pelehake Sione Tupou Mateialona January 1905 30 September 1912 Independent Mateialona Tevita Tuʻivakano 30 September 1912 30 June 1923 Independent Tuʻivakano Sālote Tupou III Viliami Tungī Mailefihi 30 June 1923 20 July 1941 Independent Mailefihi Solomone Ula Ata 20 July 1941 12 December 1949 Independent Ula Tupoutoʻa Tungī 12 December 1949 16 December 1965 Independent Tungī Fatafehi Tuʻipelehake 16 December 1965 22 August 1991 Independent Tuʻipelehake Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV Siaosi Vaea 22 August 1991 3 January 2000 Independent Vaea ʻUlukālala Lavaka Ata 3 January 2000 11 February 2006 Independent Lavaka Feleti Sevele 30 March 2006 22 December 2010 Human Rights and Democracy Movement Sevele George Tupou V Lord Tuʻivakanō 22 December 2010 30 December 2014 Independent Tuʻivakanō I–II Tupou VI ʻAkilisi Pōhiva 30 December 2014 12 September 2019 Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands Pōhiva Sēmisi Sika 12 September 2019 8 October 2019 Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands Pōhiva Pōhiva Tuʻiʻonetoa 8 October 2019 27 December 2021 Tonga People's Party Tuʻiʻonetoa Siaosi Sovaleni 27 December 2021 9 December 2024 Independent Sovaleni Samiu Vaipulu 9 December 2024 22 January 2025 Independent ʻAisake Eke 22 January 2025 18 December 2025 Independent Eke Lord Fakafānua 18 December 2025 Incumbent Independent Fakafānua
Timeline
See also Politics of Tonga List of monarchs of Tonga
Notes
References
External links
Prime Minister of Tonga at World Statesman Encyclopedia